GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

You must provide proof of medical insurance.

BARCS highly recommends volunteers be up-to-date on tetanus vaccination, however this is not a requirement.

You must be 18 years of age to volunteer independently in the shelter. Those ages 16-17 are also permitted to volunteer independently in the shelter, but may be restricted to certain tasks. Those ages 13-15 are permitted to volunteer in the shelter, but must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian at all times, and may be restricted to certain tasks. Anyone under 13 years of age cannot volunteer in the shelter, but can still help BARCS through at-home tasks, passing out BARCS literature in your community, etc.

If interested in handling animals, you must be able to donate at least 8 hours per month for at least 6 months. (Short-term volunteering and one-day service projects are acceptable, although animal handling is not permitted in these instances).

HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER:

Click here to fill out Fill out the Volunteer Application Form. You can also fax it to 410-783-6266 or hand deliver or mail it to 301 Stockholm St. Baltimore, MD 21230.

Upon review, applicant may be contacted with “New Volunteer Orientation” dates. Orientation is designed to provide you with an overview of the shelter, including history and statistics, volunteer opportunities, general safety protocol, our expectations, and more. A tour of the shelter is offered as well.

and your interest!

Upon completion of orientation, you will be trained in your areas of interest before working independently.

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Highlights

PetSmart Charities is providing $1 million to national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society, which will lead a public-private partnership called the Baltimore Community Cats Project. Best Friends is working with BARCS and other local Best Friends network partners to implement a comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to reduce the breeding of free-roaming cats, which will in turn help decrease the number of cats entering the city’s shelter system. Have an outdoor cat colony in your neighborhood? Please call (443) 240-8530 to see how we can help you.